Which streamers should you keep, cut in August 2026?
Which streamers should you keep, cut in August 2026?
See the streamers we think are must-haves this month, and which we think you can let go of for a little while.
August always seems like a month of transition. It’s still high summer, and the temperatures feel as hot as they’ve been all year, but autumn is still just around the corner. With it traditionally comes the start of peak TV season, as well as fall sports like the NFL and college football.
But streaming services have made every month peak TV season, and some great premieres are coming to top streaming services this month. Check out the streamers we recommend keeping in the month of August, and those you can safely cancel for another time.
Streamers to keep, cancel in August 2026
Which streamers should you keep in August 2026?
Apple TV
They believed and believed and believed…and their wishes came true! “Ted Lasso” is returning to Apple TV for a fourth season, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Originally, “Ted Lasso” was planned as a three-season arc, but star and series co-creator Jason Sudeikis was talked into exploring new territory in a fourth season. The show will see Coach Lasso return to England, this time to coach the new AFC Richmond women’s team. Check out the new trailer for “Ted Lasso” Season 4 below!
Watch the new trailer for ‘Ted Lasso:
Also coming to Apple TV in August is Season 2 of “Dark Matter,” the sci-fi series adapted from the novel of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch. The show’s new season will follow the Dessen family as they are forced to go on the run once more. Jason’s obsession with the Box is deepening, and Daniela’s growing paranoia is pushing her to the brink, while their son Charlie hungers for a sense of normalcy. “Dark Matter” Season 2 is coming to Apple TV on Aug. 28.
Fans will also be able to stream titles like “Stillwater” Season 5 and “The Dynasty: UConn Huskies” on Apple TV in August, in addition to more MLB doubleheaders each Friday night, Major League Soccer games, and F1 events. Apple TV costs $13 per month for an ad-free subscription.
Your favorite football streaming service
August features the start of the 2026 NFL preseason, with the Hall of Fame game scheduled for Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Having access to local channels will be crucial for watching your local team’s preseason games, as relatively few of these games are broadcast nationally.
Live TV streaming services can be a big help in connecting you to these channels. DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all carry ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in a large number of American markets.
In 2026, viewers have more choices for receiving football channels than ever before. Specifically, DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV all offer genre-specific channel plans that include local broadcast channels and cost less than standard, all-in-one pay-TV plans that include all channel types. Pick your favorite live TV streamer, and start watching the NFL preseason, as well as College Football’s Week 0 on Aug. 29!
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CBS | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBC | + $19 | + $11 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
HBO Max
Football fans will also want to make sure they have a subscription to HBO Max this month, as the streamer prepares to roll out a new season of “Hard Knocks.” This season will take fans inside the training camp of the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl champions, offering a rare look inside a franchise that is at the top of the football mountain. The first episode of “Hard Knocks” debuts on HBO Max on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
DC fans will also want to tune into HBO Max in August, as the streamer will host the new live-action series “Lanterns.” The series will follow veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and his new companion John Stewart as they attempt to solve an Earthbound mystery with interstellar connections. The show debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 16.
Watch the trailer for ‘Lanterns’ Season 1:
The Season 3 finale of “House of the Dragon” is coming up on HBO Max on Aug. 9, as well, so there’s a ton to watch on the streamer this month. Plans start at just $11 per month for an ad-supported HBO Max subscription, if you don’t have one already.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Streamers you can cancel in August 2026
Peacock
Peacock has a few releases to tune in for in August, such as the rom-com “You, Me & Tuscany,” or “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th” for reality TV fans. But you won’t need the streamer to watch the NFL’s HOF game, and with the World Cup now over, you can probably leave Peacock behind until the NFL regular season kicks off, at least.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
Disney+
No disrespect intended to fellow Star Wars fans, but even with “Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi” premiering on Disney+ on Aug. 5, you can probably let Disney+ go for a month. With the kids heading back to school this month, there’s much less of a reason to keep a streaming service that has so much content for children in general. Save Disney+ for a little later in the fall and winter!
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”